Richard:
 
          I think your critique of my modest proposal for arts block
          grants was very much to the point, though I disagree with
          your statement that the Republicans' hidden agenda is to
          avoid giving money to the states. My idea came from the new
          thrust of moving "welfare" payments to state block grants,
          and the positive response that proposal has received on many
          fronts, including liberal democratic governors.
 
          The whole Republican agenda, to interpret it *extremely*
          generously, is to devolve control of funding to the most
          local possible level. When possible, they think, the funding
          should devolve to the individual. Nothing philosophically
          objectionable about this, though, once again, this summary
          is being more positive about the Republican agenda than it
          deserves.
 
          Eric Siegel
          [log in to unmask]